Process for preparing toluenesulfinates

ABSTRACT

A process for preparing novel compounds useful in the preparation of 1H-indole-3-glyoxamides.

This application is 371 of PCT/US99/08323 Apr. 15, 1999.

This invention relates to a process for preparing certain1H-indole-3-glyoxamides useful for inhibiting sPLA₂ mediated release offatty acids for conditions such as septic shock and intermediates usefulin the preparation of such compounds.

Certain 1H-indole-3-glyoxamides are known to be potent and selectiveinhibitors of mammalian sPLA₂ useful for treating diseases, such asseptic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, pancreatitis, trauma,bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis and relatedsPLA₂ induced diseases. EPO publication No. 0675110, for example,discloses such compounds.

Various patents and publications describe processes for making thesecompounds using 4-hydroxy indole intermediates.

The article, “Recherches en serie indolique. VI sur tryptaminessubstituees”, by Marc Julia, Jean Igolen and Hanne Igolen, Bull. Soc.Chim. France, 1962, pp. 1060-1068, describes certainindole-3-glyoxylamides and their conversion to tryptamine derivatives.

The article, “2-Aryl-3-Indoleglyoxylamides (FGIN-1): A New Class ofPotent and Specific Ligands for the Mitochondrial DBI Receptor (MDR)” byE. Romeo, et al., The Journal of Pharmacology and ExperimentalTherapeutics, Vol. 262, No. 3, (pp. 971-978) describes certain2-aryl-3-indolglyoxylamides having research applications in mammaliancentral nervous systems.

The abstract, “Fragmentation of N-benzylindoles in Mass Spectrometry”;Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 67, 1967, 73028h, reports various benzylsubstituted phenols including those having glyoxylamide groups at the 3position of the indole nucleus.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,363 describes trifluoromethylindoles havingglyoxylamide groups at the 3 position of the indole nucleus.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,630 describes alpha-substituted 3-indolyl aceticacid compounds and their preparation inclusive of glyoxylamideintermediates.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,734 describes the preparation of3-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)indoles using 3-indoleglyoxylamideintermediates such as1-phenethyl-2-ethyl-6-carboxy-N-propyl-3-indoleglyoxylamide (see,Example 30).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,850 prepares isoxazolyl indolamines usingglyoxylamide indoles as intermediates. U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,594 describesanalgesics prepared using 3-indoleglyoxylamide intermediates.

The article, “No. 565.—Inhibiteurs d'enzymes. XII.—Preparation de(propargylamino-2 ethyl)-3 indoles” by A. Alemanhy, E. FernandezAlvarez, O. Nieto Lopey and M. E. Rubio Herraez; Bulletin De La SocieteChimigue De France, 1974, No. 12, pp. 2883-2888, describes variousindolyl-3 glyoxamides which are hydrogen substituted on the 6-memberedring of the indole nucleus.

The article “Indol-Umlagerung von1-Diphenylamino-2,3-dihydro-2,3-pyrrolidonen” by Gert Kollenz andChrista Labes; Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1975, pp. 1979-1983, describes phenylsubstituted 3-glyoxylamides.

Many of these processes employ a 4-hydroxy indole intermediate. Forexample U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,326 U.S., herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, discloses a process for preparing4-substituted-1H-indole-3-glyoxamide derivatives comprising reacting anappropriately substituted 4-methoxyindole (prepared as described byClark, R. D. et al., Synthesis, 1991, pp 871-878, the disclosures ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference) with sodium hydride indimethylformamide at room temperature (20-25° C.) then treating witharylmethyl halide at ambient temperatures to give the 1-arylmethylindolewhich is O-demethylated using boron tribromide in methylene chloride(Tsung-Ying Shem and Charles A. Winter, Adv. Drug Res., 1977, 12, 176,the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference) to give the4-hydroxyindole. Alkylation of the hydroxy indole is achieved with analpha bromoalkanoic acid ester in dimethylformamide using sodium hydrideas a base. Conversion to the glyoxamide is achieved by reacting the∝-[(indol-4-yl)oxy]alkanoic acid ester first with oxalyl chloride, thenwith ammonia, followed by hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide in methanol.

The process for preparing 4-substituted-1H-indole-3-glyoxamidederivatives, as set forth above, has utility. However, this process usesexpensive reagents and environmentally hazardous organic solvents,produces furan containing by-products and results in a relatively lowyield of desired product.

In an alternate preparation, an appropriately substitutedpropronylacetate is halogenated with sulfuryl chloride. The halogenatedintermediate is hydrolyzed and decarboxylated by treatment withhydrochloric acid then reacted with an appropriately substitutedcyclohexane dione. Treatment of the alkylated dione with an appropriateamine affords a 4-keto-indole which is oxidized by refluxing in ahigh-boiling polar hydrocarbon solvent such as carbitol in the presenceof a catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, to prepare the4-hydroxyindole which may then be alkylated and converted to the desiredglyoxamide as described above.

This process however is limited by the required high temperatureoxidation and requires recovery of a precious metal catalyst.

While the methods described above for preparing the 4-hydroxy indoleintermediate are satisfactory, a more efficient transformation isdesirable.

The process of the present invention employs a sulfinylation step.

In general, sulfinylation reactions employ the use of hydride baseswhich cause a delayed onset exotherm and the evolution of gas. Suchprocess conditions are undesirable in a commercial setting.

Applicants have discovered a process for preparing sulfinylatedintermediates which is not associated with a delayed onset exotherm andavoids the foaming associated with the liberation of gas.

Patai, The Chemistry of Sulfinic Acids, Esters and Their Derivatives,John Wiley and Sons, 1990, p. 11, teaches a synthesis of sulfinic estersand their salts using a variety of activating agents.

In yet another aspect of the invention, applicants have discovered acommercially viable process for preparing sulfinic esters which resultin higher yields, avoids the production of sulfur containing byproducts,particularly sulfones and employs inexpensive reagents.

The present invention provides an improved process for preparing1H-indole-3-glyoxamides. The process of the present invention can beperformed with inexpensive, readily available, reagents under milderconditions and resulting in better overall yield while avoiding theproduction of furan byproducts. In addition, the present process allowsfor transformation with a wider variety of substituents on the indoleplatform. Other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the subsequent description and theappended claims.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of theformula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug derivativethereof;

wherein:

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C₇-C₂₀ alkyl;

 wherein;

R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, —C₁-C₁₀alkyl,—C₁-C₁₀(alkoxy), —S—(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl and halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl, and t is aninteger from 0 to 5 both inclusive;

R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo,—C₁-C₃(alkyl), —C₃-C₄(cycloalkyl), —C₃-C₄(cyclo-alkenyl),—O(C₁-C₂)alkyl, —S(C₁-C₂)alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, and HET;

R₄ is selected from the group consisting of —CO₂H, —SO₃H, and —P(O)(OH)₂or salt or prodrug derivatives thereof; and

R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl,—(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo(C₂-C₆)alkyl, bromo, chloro,fluoro, iodo and aryl;

which process comprises the steps of:

a) halogenating a compound of formula X

where R⁸ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl or HET;

with SO₂Cl₂ to form a compound of formula IX

b) hydrolyzing and decarboxylating a compound of formula IX

to form a compound of formula VIII

c) alkylating a compound of formula VII

with a compound of formula VIII

to form a compound of formula VI

d) aminating and dehydrating a compound of formula VI

with an amine of the formula R¹NH₂ in the presence of a solvent thatforms an azeotrope with water to form a compound of formula V

e) oxidizing a compound of formula V

by heating with a base and a compound of the formula RSOX where R is—(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl and X is —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, haloor —OCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl to form a compound of formula IV

f) alkylating a compound of the formula IV

with an alkylating agent of the formula XCH₂R^(4a) where X is a leavinggroup and R^(4a) is —CO₂R^(4b), —SO₃R^(4b), —P(O)(OR^(4b))₂, or—P(O)(OR^(4b))H, where R^(4b) is an acid protecting group, to form acompound of formula III

g) reacting a compound of formula III

with oxalyl chloride and ammonia to form a compound of formula II

h) optionally hydrolyzing a compound of formula II

to form a compound of formula I; and

i) optionally salifying a compound of formula I.

In another embodiment of the invention is provided a process forpreparing a compound of formula I comprising the steps of:

a) oxidizing a compound of the formula V

by heating with a base and a compound of the formula RSOX where R is—(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl and X is —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, haloor —OCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl to form a compound of formula IV

b) alkylating a compound of the formula IV

with an alkylating agent of the formula XCH₂R^(4a) where X is a leavinggroup and R^(4a) is —CO₂R^(4b), —SO₃R^(4b), —P(O)(OR^(4b))₂, or—P(O)(OR^(4b))H, where R^(4b) is an acid protecting group, to form acompound of formula III

c) reacting a compound of formula III

with oxalyl chloride and ammonia to form a compound of formula II

d) optionally hydrolyzing a compound of formula II

to form a compound of formula I; and

e) optionally salifying a compound of formula I.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention is provided a process forpreparing a compound of formula I comprising the steps of:

a) oxidizing a compound of the formula V

by treating with a base and a compound of the formula RSOX where R is—(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl and X is —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, haloor —OCO₂(C₁-C₁)alkyl to form a compound of formula V¹

heating a component of formula V¹ to form a compound of formula IV

b) alkylating a compound of the formula IV

with an alkylating agent of the formula XCH₂R^(4a) where X is a leavinggroup and R^(4a) is —CO₂R^(4b), —SO₃R^(4b), —P(O)(OR^(4b))₂, or—P(O)(OR^(4b))H, where R^(4b) is an acid protecting group, to form acompound of formula III

c) reacting a compound of formula III

with oxalyl chloride and ammonia to form a compound of formula II

d) optionally hydrolyzing a compound of formula II

to form a compound of formula I; and

The present invention provides, in addition, novel intermediates of theformula V¹

where R¹, R² and R⁵ are as defined above and R is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl orsubstituted aryl. Such compounds are useful in the process of preparingcompounds of formula I.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process forpreparing compounds of the formula RSOX where R is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, arylor substituted aryl and X is —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy;

comprising treating a compound of the formula

where R is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl and M is an alkalimetal; with an acid and an alcohol of the formula —(C₁-C₂)alkoxy.

The compounds of the invention employ certain defining terms as follows:

As used herein, the term, “alkyl” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent means, unless otherwise defined, a straight or branchedchain monovalent hydrocarbon radical such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, tertiary butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, heptyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, andthe like.

The term “(C₁-C₁₀)alkoxy”, as used herein, denotes a group such asmethoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, t-butoxy, n-pentoxy,isopentoxy, neopentoxyl, heptoxy, hexoxy, octoxy, nonoxy, decoxy andlike groups, attached to the remainder of the molecule by the oxygenatom.

The term “(C₃-C₄) cycloalkyl” includes cyclopropyl, and cyclobutylgroups

The term “C₃-C₄ cycloalkenyl” includes a cyclopropenyl or cyclobutenylring having a double bond at the 1- or 2- position.

The term “halo” means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

The term “halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl” means a (C₁-C₁₀)alkyl group, substitutedwith from 1 to 3 halo atoms, attached to the remainder of the moleculeby the alkyl group. The term halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl includes the termhalo(C₂-C₆)alkyl.

The term “halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy” means a halo-substituted alkoxy group whichgroup is attached to the remainder of the molecule at the oxygen of thealkoxy.

The term “aryl” means a group having the ring structure characteristicof benzene, pentalene, indene, naphthalene, azulene, heptalene,phenanthrene, anthracene, etc. The aryl group may be optionallysubstituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consistingof (C₁-C₆)alkyl (preferably methyl), (C₁-C₆)alkoxy or halo (preferablefluorine or chlorine).

The term “aryloxy” means an aryl group attached to the remainder of themolecule by an oxygen linker.

The term “leaving group” means a substituent with an unshared electronpair that departs from the substrate in a nucleophilic substitutionreaction. The term “leaving group” includes halo, sulfonate, acetate andthe like.

The term HET includes pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine,pyrrole, pyrazole, furan, thiophene, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole,thiadiazole, imidazole, triazole and tetrazole. The heterocyclic ringcan be attached to the remainder of the molecule by any carbon in theheterocyclic ring.

The salts of the compounds of formula I are an additional aspect of theinvention. In those instances where the compounds of the inventionpossess acidic functional groups various salts may be formed which aremore water soluble and physiologically suitable than the parentcompound. Representative pharmaceutically acceptable salts include butare not limited to the alkali and alkaline earth salts such as lithium,sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum and the like. Salts areconveniently prepared from the free acid by treating the acid insolution with a base or by exposing the acid to an ion exchange resin.

Included within the definition of pharmaceutically acceptable salts arethe relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic base addition salts ofcompounds of the present invention, for example, ammonium, quaternaryammonium, and amine cations, derived from nitrogenous bases ofsufficient basicity to form salts with the compounds of this invention(see, for example, S. M. Berge, et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. Phar.Sci., 66: 1-19 (1977)).

The term “acid protecting group” is used herein as it is frequently usedin synthetic organic chemistry, to refer to a group which will preventan acid group from participating in a reaction carried out on some otherfunctional group of the molecule, but which can be removed when it isdesired to do so. Such groups are discussed by T. W. Greene in chapter 5of Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, NewYork, 1981, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Examples of acid protecting groups includes ester or amide derivativesof the acid group, such as methyl, methoxymethyl, methyl-thiomethyl,tetrahydropyranyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, phenylaryl,ethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-methylthioethyl, t-butyl, cyclopentyl,triphenylmethyl, p-bromobenzyl, trimethylsilyl, N,N-dimethyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or o-nitroanilide. A preferred acid-protectinggroup is methyl.

Prodrugs are derivatives of the compounds of the invention which havechemically or metabolically cleavable groups and become by solvolysis orunder physiological conditions the compounds of the invention which arepharmaceutically active in vivo. Derivatives of the compounds of thisinvention have activity in both their acid and base derivative forms,but the acid derivative form often offers advantages of solubility,tissue compatibility, or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see,Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs, pp. 7-9, 21-24, Elsevier, Amsterdam1985). Prodrugs include acid derivatives, such as, esters prepared byreaction of the parent acidic compound with a suitable alcohol, oramides prepared by reaction of the parent acid compound with a suitableamine. Simple aliphatic esters (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl) or aromatic esters derived from acidicgroups pendent on the compounds of this invention are preferredprodrugs. Other preferred esters include morpholinoethyloxy,diethylglycolamide and diethylaminocarbonylmethoxy.

In some cases it is desirable to prepare double ester type prodrugs suchas (acyloxy) alkyl esters or ((alkoxycarbonyl)oxy)alkyl esters.

A preferred group of compounds of formula I prepared by the process ofthe instant invention are those wherein:

R¹ is

Where R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, —C₁—C₁₀alkyl,—C₁-C₁₀(alkoxy), —S—(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl and halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl, and t is aninteger from 0 to 5 both inclusive;

R² is halo, cyclopropyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, O-methyl or S-methyl;

R⁴ is —CO₂H; and

R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are H.

Preferred compounds of formula V¹ are those

wherein

R is aryl

where R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, —(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl,—(C₁-C₁₀)alkoxy, —S(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl and halo (C₁-C₁₀)alkyl, and t is aninteger from 0 to 5;

R² is selected from the group consisting of halo, cyclopropyl, methyl,ethyl, propyl, O-methyl and S-methyl; and

R⁵ is H.

Even more preferred are compounds of formula V¹ wherein

R is phenyl or tolyl;

R¹ is

R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, —(C₁-C₄)alkyl,—(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, —S(C₁-C₄)alkyl and halo (C₁-C₄)alkyl, and t is 2;

R² is methyl, ethyl or propyl; and

R⁵ is H.

Preferred substituent groups of compounds of formula V¹ include thefollowing:

(a) R¹ is

(b) R¹ is

(c) R¹ is —(C₁-C₁₃)alkyl;

(d) R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl and—(C₁-C₆)alkoxy;

(e) R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of —S(C₁-C₆)alkyl and halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl;

(f) t is an integer from 0 to 3, both inclusive;

(g) R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo,—(C₁-C₃)alkyl, and —O(C₁-C₆)alkyl;

(h) R² is selected from the group consisting of —O(C₁-C₂)alkyl and—S(C₁-C₂)alkyl;

(i) p² is selected from the group consisting of aryl and aryloxy;

(j) R² is HET;

(k) R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyland (C₁-C₆)alkoxy;

(1) R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of halo (C₁-C₆)alkoxy andhalo (C₂-C₆)alkyl;

(m) R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of bromo, chloro, fluoroand codo;

(n) R⁵ is aryl.

Compounds which can be made by the process of the instant inventioninclude:

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

dl-2-((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)propanoicacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-(((1,1′-biphenyl)-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((1,1′-biphenyl)-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((1,1′-biphenyl)-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((3-chlorophenylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((1,1′biphenyl)-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((1,1′-biphenyl)-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-1-((1,1′biphenyl)-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

4-((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)butanoicacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxyaceticacid;

((-3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((-3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-6-ethyl-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2,6-diethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-6-phenoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

(3-(aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid; and

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-6-phenoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Of these compounds, preferred compounds include:

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxyaceticacid;

((-3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((-3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-6-ethyl-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2,6-diethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid;

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-6-phenoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid;

((3-(aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid; and

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-6-phenoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticacid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Of these compounds even more preferred are:

((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid and((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxyaceticacid.

The most preferred compound which can be prepared by the instant processis((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxyaceticacid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The process of the present invention provides an improved method forsynthesizing the compounds of formula I using inexpensive, readilyavailable reagents as shown in Scheme I as follows.

Ketone (V) is dissolved in a suitable solvent preferably an aproticsolvent such as toluene. Other suitable solvents include but are notlimited to tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), dioxane,acetone. The substrate/solvent solution may be sonicated or heatedslightly, if necessary to facilitate dissolution.

The amount of solvent used should be sufficient to ensure that allcompounds stay in solution until the desired reaction is complete.

The solution is treated with a base, preferably an alkoxide base, thenwith a sulfinating reagent of the

where R is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl and X is(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo or —OCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl. The sulfinating reagent may beprepared according to the procedure of J. W. Wilt et al., J. Org. Chem,1967, 32, 2097. Preferred sulfinating agents include methyl p-tolylsulfinate, methylbenzene sulfinate or p-toluylsulfinic isobutyricanhydride. Preferred alkoxide bases include methoxide or ethoxide basesof sodium, potassium or lithium. Potassium methoxide is especiallypreferred. Other suitable bases include but are not limited to sodiumhydride, or LDA. Generally, from about 0.75 to 10 equivalents of baserelative to the starting material is employed; preferable from about 1to about 3 equivalents; most preferably about 2 equivalents. Thereaction may be conducted at temperatures from about 15° C. to reflux,and is substantially complete in from one to 24 hours. Intermediate V¹can be isolated by conducting the reaction at temperatures of from 15°C. to 50° C., preferably at from 25° C. to 40° C., more preferably at30° C. The conversion of intermediate V to VI will proceed rapidly ifthe reaction is run at temperatures of from 60° C. to reflux, preferablyfrom 75° C. to 85° C. more preferably at 80° C.

The amount of sulfinating reagent is not critical, however, the reactionis best accomplished using a molar equivalent or excess relative to thepyrrole starting material (V).

In an alternate preparation of V¹, a sulfinating reagent is replacedwith a disulfide compound of the formula R²⁰SSR²⁰ where R²⁰ is—(C₁-C₆)alkyl, alkyl or aryl, to prepare on oxidation of the XX is thenbe readily achieved using an appropriate oxidizing reagent such ashydrogen peroxide or m-chloroperbenzoic acid.

Indole (IV) may then be readily alkylated with an alkylating agent ofthe formula XCH₂R^(4a) where X is a suitable leaving group and R^(4a) isa protected carboxy, sulfonyl or phosphonyl acid group, preferablyprotected with an ester group, in the presence of a base. Methylbromoacetate is a preferred alkylating agent. Suitable bases includepotassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lithium carbonate, cesiumcarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate or potassiumhydroxide. Potassium carbonate is preferred. The amount of alkylatingagent is not critical, however, the reaction is best accomplished usinga molar excess of alkylating agent relative to the starting material.The reaction is preferably carried out in an organic solvent such asacetone, acetonitrile or dimethylformanide. Other suitable solventsinclude but are not limited to methanol, toluene, tetrahydrofuran,methyl ethyl ketone, acetonitrile, or t-butyl methylether. The reactionis conducted at temperatures of from about 0° to 100° C., preferably atambient temperature, and is substantially complete in about 1 to 24hours depending on the reactants employed and such conditions asreaction temperature.

Optionally, a phase transfer reagent such as tetrabutylammoniumbromidemay be employed.

Preparation of glyoxamide II is readily achieved in a two step processby first treating intermediate III with oxalyl chloride atconcentrations from about 0.2 to 1.5 mmol, preferably at equimolarconcentrations relative to the starting material. Solvents such asmethylene chloride, chloroform, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride,ether or toluene are preferred. Temperatures from about −20° C. toambient temperature are suitable, preferably about −5° C.

In the second step, the solution is treated with ammonia; either bubbledin as a gas or, preferably, using a molar excess of 30% aqueous ammonia.The reaction is typically conducted at temperatures from about −25° C.to 25° C., preferably at about −2° C. to 0° C., and is substantiallycomplete in 10 minutes to an hour.

Hydrolysis of II is achieved using a base such as potassium hydroxide,lithium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, in alower alcohol solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, etc., orsolvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and acetone.

Using standard analytical techniques, such as HPLC, the reactions ofScheme I can be monitored to determine when starting materials andintermediates are converted to product.

The intermediates V¹ and IV can be isolated. For example, intermediateIV can be isolated by extraction from a solution of IV in a suitableorganic solvent, such as toluene, into a solution of a base and a watermiscible solvent. The pH of the aqueous layer must initially be greaterthan 12. The layers are separated and the pH of the aqueous layer isadjusted to a range of from 1 to 12 more preferably 9-11.5 mostpreferably 11, Intermediate IV is isolated from the aqueous layer,preferably by extraction into an organic solvent in which theintermediate is soluble. Suitable water-miscible solvents include butare not limited to methanol, acetone, isopropanol, acetonitrile, dioxaneor tetrahydrofuran. The pH of the aqueous layer must initially begreater than 12. Concentrations of base from about 0.5N to 5N arepreferred, more preferably, from about 1.5N to 2.5N. The most preferredconcentration of base is 2N. Methanol is preferred. Although the orderof addition is not critical, preferably the pH of the aqueous solutioncontaining the intermediate is adjusted after addition of the organicsolvent into which the intermediate IV is to be extracted.

Scheme I(a), below, illustrates the two pot procedure, described above,for the preparation of intermediate IV. Intermediate V¹ can be isolatedand purified using standard chromatographic procedures.

It will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan that the startingmaterials for the above procedures are either commercially available orcan be readily prepared by known techniques from commercially availablestarting materials.

Starting material V is prepared according to the following procedure.

R⁸ is (C₁-C₆) alkyl or aryl

An appropriately substituted propionylacetate X is first halogenated bytreatment with sulfuryl chloride, preferably at equimolar concentrationsrelative to the starting material, at temperatures of from about 0° C.to 25° C., preferably less than 15° C., to prepare IX.

Hydrolysis and decarboxylation of IX is achieved by refluxing with anaqueous acid, such as hydrochloric acid, for from about 1 to 24 hours.The solution containing the decarboxylated product VIII is neutralizedto adjust the pH to about 7.0-7.5, then reacted with cyclohexanedioneVII (preferably at equimolar concentrations) and a base, preferablysodium hydroxide, to yield the triketone monohydrate VI as a precipitatewhich may be purified and isolated, if desired. The reaction ispreferably conducted at temperatures of from −20° C. to ambienttemperatures and is substantially complete in about 1 to 24 hours.

The above reactions are preferably run as a “one pot” process with thereactants added to the reaction vessel in the order given above.Preferably, the reaction is allowed to proceed without isolatingcompounds of formula IX or VIII, thus avoiding exposure to thesevolatile lachrymators.

Preparation of V is achieved by refluxing VI in a high boiling non-polarsolvent which forms an azeotrope with water, preferably toluene, with anequimolar quantity of an amine of the formula R¹NH₂, where R¹ is asdefined above.

Solvents with a boiling point of at least 100° C. are preferred, such astoluene, xylene, cymene, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane or mesitylene, thuseliminating the need for a pressure reactor. Sufficient solvent shouldbe employed to ensure that all compounds stay in solution until thereaction is substantially complete in about 1 to 24 hours.

In a preferred procedure sulfinylating reagents

may be prepared in an acid catalyzed reaction by reacting an appropraitearyl sulfinate of the formula

where M is an alkali metal, preferably sodium, and R is —(C₁-C)₆alkyl,aryl or substituted aryl, preferably phenyl or tolyl; with an acid,preferably hydrochloric acid. The reaction is preferably conducted atambient temperatures preferably 15-30° C., more preferably 20-25° C. inthe alcohol solvent which corresponds to the desired ester product,preferably methanol. Other suitable solvents include ethanol andisopropanol. In an alternate procedure, the reaction may be run with anequivalent of the desired alcohol in a suitable aprotic solvent such astoluene. More preferably the reaction is run with an excess of alcoholin solvent; most preferably in neat alcohol which corresponds to thedesired ester product,

Preferably, the reaction is conducted using a molar excess of acidrelative to the sulfinate starting material.

The following examples further illustrate the process of the presentinvention. The examples also illustrate the preparation of theintermediate compounds of this invention. The examples are illustrativeonly and not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

PREPARATION 1 (±) Methyl-p-toluenesulfinate

To a 5-liter, 3-neck round bottom flask, was added 2845 mls of methanol(5 volumes) and was bubbled in 165.58 grams (1.4 equivalents, 4.47gmoles) of anhydrous HCl. Heat evolved during addition of HCl to MeOH.The flask was maintained at a temperature range from 20 to 25° C. bycooling and adjusting addition rate. Sodium toluene sulfinic acid (1.0equivalents, 569 grams, 3.19 gmoles) was added and stirred at roomtemperature for 1 to 4 hours. Water 2850 mls (5 volumes) was added, thenand 2850 mls of toluene (5 volumes.) The mixture was stirred from 1 to30 minutes and the layers were allowed to separate The layers wereseparated and the aqueous layer was back extracted twice using 1425 mls(2.5 volumes) of toluene for each back extraction. All toluene layerswere combined and washed two times with 1425 mls (2.5 volumes) of 1molar sodium bicarbonate solution for each wash. The layers wereseparated and the toluene layerers was concentrated under vacuum toapproximately 3 volumes. The volumes were concentrated to a smallalloquote to an oil on rotovap indicated a final weight yield of 476.78grams of ester, 87.7% of theory weight.

PREPARATION 2 ((2-Ethyl-1-phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy) Acetic AcidMethyl Ester

2-(2-oxobutyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (100 gms, 0.5 moles) was suspendedin toluene (600 ml). The mixture was warmed to 85 deg c and stirred for5 minutes. Benzylamine (56.3 gms, 0.5 moles, 1.0 eq) was added dropwiseover 30-45 minutes. Following the addition the mixture turned to anamber colored solution. Heat was applied to the solution and water wasazeotroped off until the reaction temperature reached 110 deg c. Thereaction was allowed to stir at 110 deg c for 1 hr at which time solventwas distilled off until 300 mL toluene remained. To this solution of2-ethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-(phenylmethyl)-4H-indol-4-one was added asolution of methyl p-toluene sulfinate ester (127.5 g, 0.75 moles) in300 mL toluene and potassium methoxide (110.5 g, 1.5 moles). Thereaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen for 2 hrs with the reactiontemperature between 30° C. and 40° C. TLC indicated complete consumptionof starting material. The reaction was then cooled to 10° C. andquenched with water (500 mls). After stirring for 30 min, toluene (500mls) was added and the layers were separated. The toluene solution of2-ethyl-5-[4-methyl phenyl)sulfinyl]-1-benzyl-5,6,7-trihydroindole-4-onewas heated at 80° C. for 2-3 hrs, at which time reaction completion wasconfirmed by TLC. The solution was cooled to room temperature of 250 mlsMeOH and 312 mls 2 N NaOH was added and the mixture was stirred for 30min. The layers were separated and the organic was extracted with 125mls MeOH and 156 mls 2 N NaOH. The layers were separated and the aqueouslayers were combined. Toluene (250 mls) was added to the aqueous layerand the pH of the aqueous was adjusted to 11 with 1 N HCl. The layerswere separated and the organic layer was diluted with 1500 mls acetone.Powdered potassium carbonate (151.8 gms, 1.1 moles) andmethylbromoacetate (93.6 gms, 0.6 moles) were added and the mixture wasallowed to stir for 16 hrs at 60° C. The solids were filtered overpolypropylene and washed with acetone (300 mls) A portion of thefiltrate (60 g, or 5% of the total) was evaporated and the yellow solidwas recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol (55 mls) to give title productas an off-white solid (6.5 g, 82° C. yield).

EXAMPLE 1 ((2-Ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic AcidMethyl Ester

A. Preparation of2-Ethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-(phenylmethyl)-4H-indol-4-one

2-(2-oxobutyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (1000 gms, 4.995 moles) wassuspended in toluene (6000 ml, 6 vol). The mixture was warmed to 85 degc and stirred for 5 minutes. Benzylamine (562.6 gms, 5.25 moles, 1.05eq) was added dropwise over 30-45 minutes. Following the addition themixture turned to an amber colored solution. Heat was applied to thesolution and water was azeotroped off until the reaction temperaturereached 110° C. The reaction was allowed to stir at 110° C. for 2 hrs atwhich time ˜4000 mls of solvent was distilled off at atmosphericpressure. Solution was transferred to a flask and further evaporated toan amber viscous oil which was used directly in the following step.

Oil wt=1372.24 gms

Theoretical wt=1253.7 gms

Potency=87%

Molar yield=95.2%

B. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-ol

Sodium hydride (400 gms, 9.96 moles, 2.5 eq) was suspended in THF (5000mls, 5 vol). To the suspension was added the compound of part A, above,(1149 gms, 3.98 moles, 1 eq) and allowed to stir at 20-25 deg c untilbubbling had subsided. Methyl-p toluene sulfinate (1121 gms, 6.59 moles,1.65 eq) was added and the mixture was heated to 30° C. After ˜2.5 hrs,the mixture darkened as gas evolution and an exotherm to 47 deg c wasobserved. TLC indicated complete consumption of starting material. Thereaction was then cooled to 0 to 5° C. and quenched with the slowaddition of deionized water (5000 mls, 5 vol). The reaction was furtherquenched with glacial acetic acid (600 gms, 10 moles, 2.5 eq). Themixture was diluted with toluene (5000 mls, 5 vol) and washed withsaturated sodium bicarbonate (2500 mls, 2.5 vol). The upper organiclayer was washed with and additional 2500 mls of saturated sodiumbicarbonate. The aqueous layers were combined and back extracted withtoluene (5000 mls, 5 vol). The organic layers were combined and heatedto a gentle reflux (˜80 deg c) and stirred for 2 hours, at which timereaction completion was confirmed by TLC. The dark solution wasconcentrated atmospherically to ˜4000 mls and washed with saturatedsodium bicarbonate (1500 mls×2). The organic was dried over magnesiumsulfate and was concentrated under vacuum to a dark viscous oil.

C. Preparation of ((2-ethyl-1-phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)AceticAcid Methyl Ester.

A sample of the 2-ethyl-5-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-1-benzyl5,6,7-tihydroindol-4-one was purified by column chromatography with 50%ethyl acetate in hexane. Sulfoxide diastereomer with Rf 0.32 wasisolated cleanly, and a mixture of sulfoxide diastereomers (Rf 0.32 and0.26) was isolated. ¹H and ¹³C NMR experiments were conducted on bothsamples:

TLC R_(f) 0.32 (1/1 hexane/EtOAc). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 7.51 (dd,J=6.6, 1.6, 1H), 7.31-7.26 (m, 5H), 6.88 (d, J=6.4, 2H), 6.38 (d, J=8.1,1H), 6.38 (t, J=1, 1H), 5.03 (s, 2H), 3.48-3.42 (m, 1H), 3.05-2.97 (m,1H), 2.68-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.43-2.39 (m, 5H), 2.23-2.18 (m, 1H), 1.18 (t,J=7.5, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 185.53, 143.86, 141.41, 139.45,138.25, 136.15, 129.67, 129.02, 127.71, 125.47, 124.76, 120.10, 102.43,71.62, 47.14, 21.77, 21.48, 19.92, 19.35, 12.17.

TLC R_(f) 0.32 and 0.26 (1/1 hexane/EtOAc). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz,resonances distinguishable for R_(f) 0.26) δ 6.82 (d, J=7.2, 2H), 6.33(s, 1H), 4.94 (dd, J=16.9, 23.9, 2H), 4.01 (dd, J=4.7, 9.1, 1H). ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃, 75 MHz, all resonances observed) δ 186.98, 186.33, 144.82,142.03, 140.06, 139.00, 137.58, 136.98, 136.85, 13.0.42, 130.11, 129.70,129.65, 129.26, 128.37, 126.61, 126.27, 125.39, 120.91, 120.74, 103.04,102.77, 71.97, 69.72, 61.01, 47.78, 47.72, 22.11, 21.90, 21.70, 21.30,21.24, 20.68, 19.97, 19.71, 14.89, 12.84, 12.79.

D. Preparation of ((2-Ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)aceticAcid Methyl Ester

The compound of preparation 2 (25 g, 77 mmol) was dissolved in 175 mLdichloromethane and the solution was cooled with an ice bath. Oxalylchloride (7.1 mL, 81 mmol) was added dropwise to maintain the reactiontemperature below 35° C. After 30 min, a small amount of startingmaterial was observed so additional oxalyl chloride (0.5 mL, 6 mmol) wasadded. After 30 min, the reaction was diluted with 175 mLdichloromethane and 175 mL water was added. Ammonium hydroxide (22 mL,309 mmol)) was diluted with 75 mL water and cooled with an ice bath. Thecold ammonia solution was added to the reaction mixture dropwise tomaintain the reaction temperature below 6° C. At the end of theaddition, the reaction mixture was warmed to 30° C. to dissolve allsolids. After cooling to room temperature, the layers were separated andthe organic layer was washed with water. The organic solution was mixedwith 15 g activated carbon for 15 minutes. The mixture was filteredthrough Celite. The filtrate was evaporated to give a yellow solid whichwas recrystallized from 325 mL methanol to give the title product((2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester asa yellow solid (27.2 g, 89% yield).

What is claimed is:
 1. An intermediate compound of the formula V¹

wherein: R is selected from the group consisting of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryland substituted aryl R¹ is selected from the group consisting ofC₇-C₂₀alkyl;

 where; R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl,C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy, —S—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl) and halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl, and t is aninteger from 0 to 5 both inclusive; R² is furan or thiophene; R⁵ isselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl,(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo(C₂-C₆)alkyl, bromo, chloro,fluoro, iodo and aryl.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein: R is aryl;

R¹ is Where R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of halo, —C₁-C₁₀alkyl, —C₁-C₁₀(alkoxy), —S—(C₁-C₁₀) alkyl and halo(C₁-C₁₀)alkyl, and tis an integer from 0 to 5 both inclusive; R⁵ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl and —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy.
 3. A compoundof claim 2, wherein R is phenyl or tolyl and R⁵ is hydrogen.
 4. Anintermediate compound of the formula wherein

R²⁰ is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl or aryl R¹ is selected from the group consisting ofC₇-C₂₀ alkyl; R² is furan or thiophene; and R⁵ is selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkoxy,halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo(C₂-C₆)alkyl, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo andaryl.
 5. A process for preparing a compound of claim 1 comprising thesteps of: a) dissolving a compound of formula (V) in a suitable solvent;b) adding a base; c) adding a sulphinylating reagent of formula

wherein R is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl and X is(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo or —OCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl; d) isolating a compound offormula V′.